Mobility optimization in millimeter wave overlay networks

Abstract

 A method for establishing a millimeter wave connection at a Millimeter Wave Access Point for a User Equipment is proposed. The method comprises the steps or monitoring a legacy frequency uplink reference signal, mapping the legacy frequency uplink reference signal strength to a millimeter wave access frequency and establishing a millimeter wave connection based on the mapping.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for establishing a millimeter wave connection in overlay networks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This section introduces aspects that may be helpful in facilitating a better understanding of the invention. Accordingly, the statements of this section are to be read in this light and are not to be understood as admission about what is in the prior art.

[0003] Increasing bandwidth demand and increasing number of users in wireless networks need wireless technologies with high data rates. To satisfy these demands, overlay networks are proposed in which Millimeter Wave Access Points providing high data rates to users are overlaid on legacy networks, e.g. macro cell, micro cell or pico cell networks according to 3GPP standard or the like. Public places like bus stops, train-platforms, shops, airports, etc. will be equipped with Millimeter Wave Access Points. It is assumed that in such places, User Equipments requesting high data rates are static or have low mobility. Such User Equipments are connected to a legacy network and need to connect to a Millimeter Wave Access Point when demanding high data rates. Due to the propagation characteristics of millimeter waves, the coverage area of Millimeter Wave Access Points is much smaller than the coverage area of micro cell or pico cell legacy networks.

[0004] The frequency range of millimeter wave networks is in the range of 30-300 GHz. Legacy networks operate on legacy frequencies below 5 GHz. According to the Friis equation, the received power at distance R in free space is


where P_R is the received power and P_T is the transmitted power, G_T and G_R represent the transmit and receive antenna gains, respectively and λ represents the wavelength. Thus, path loss, which increases with higher frequencies, can be compensated by the use of directive antennas with high antenna gains. Due to the shorter wavelengths in millimeter wave communication systems, very high order phased antenna arrays are possible with very low spatial dimensions. With the help of antenna arrays and beamforming techniques, highly directional beams are formed to increase the coverage range and compensate the path loss. This increases the signal to noise ratio and mitigates energy waste.

[0005] With high order phased antenna arrays, beams with different spatial properties are employed. Very narrow beams with high gains are used to increase the signal to noise ratio or to increase coverage at constant signal to noise ratio. Broad beams with less gain are used to increase robustness against mobility.

[0006] In legacy networks, a Common Reference Signal (CRS) (pilots or training symbols) is used for cell specific Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurements by the User Equipment. The Common Reference Signal is broadcasted by each cell without beamforming. The existing solutions for cell detection and new link establishment are based on intra- and inter-frequency User Equipment measurements. The serving cell configures the User Equipment and provides measurement periods to carry on these measurements. The User Equipment reports these measurements and the network decides for the new link establishment.

[0007] This procedure cannot be easily adapted for Millimeter Wave Access Point detection and new link establishment of User Equipments to Millimeter Wave Access Points, as the range and the coverage area of the Millimeter Wave Access Point is very small. Further, the detection of the cell and the new link establishment will be delayed. This causes problems if the User Equipment requiring millimeter wave connection is not static or moving at very low speed.

[0008] To address similar problems, a beamforming protocol has been incorporated in the WiGig standard developed for millimeter wave indoor communications. This protocol is based on beam identification, beam refinement and beam tracking. In a first phase, the Millimeter Wave Access Point sends training symbols by using a set of broad beams. The broad beams extend the range of the Millimeter Wave Access Point, although they do not provide the maximum beamforming gain. Once the User Equipment is detected, the Millimeter Wave Access Point refines the beam by sending further training symbols with the subset of narrow beams included in the broad beam selected before. This procedure allows increasing the coverage area of the Millimeter Wave Access Point with respect to the method employed in legacy networks where the training symbols are transmitted without beamforming. However, User Equipments located in the coverage range of the Millimeter Wave Access Point when using small beams but not located in the coverage area of the Millimeter Wave Access Point when using broader beams are not detected by this procedure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an object of the invention to address the above mentioned problem and extend the range of a Millimeter Wave Access Point in which User Equipments can be detected.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for establishing a millimeter wave connection at a Millimeter Wave Access Point for a User Equipment is proposed. The Millimeter Wave Access Point monitors a legacy frequency uplink reference signal originating from the User Equipment. The uplink signal is a signal sent by the User Equipment to the base station for signaling or communication purposes. The Millimeter Wave Access Point maps the legacy frequency uplink reference signal strength to a related signal strength in the millimeter wave access frequency. Using the mapping information, a millimeter wave connection between the Millimeter Wave Access Point and the User Equipment is established. This has the advantage that information from communication in legacy frequency bands is used to detect the location of the User Equipment. The coverage area of the Millimeter Wave Access Point is extended in order to identify further User Equipments to which a connection can be established.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the mapped signal strength is checked and it is determined if the User Equipment is in the extended coverage area of the Millimeter Wave Access Point. If the User Equipment is in the extended coverage area of the Millimeter Wave Access Point, beamforming weights to serve the User Equipment on a millimeter wave channel are determined. These beamforming weights allow defining a narrow beam targeting the User Equipment and extending the coverage area of the Millimeter Wave Access Point.

[0012] According to one embodiment, determining beamforming weights to serve the User Equipment on a millimeter wave channel comprises scanning all available narrow maximum gain beams of the Millimeter Wave Access Point. In one embodiment, only a few narrow maximum gain beams of the Millimeter Wave Access Point are checked. The few narrow maximum gain beams are selected according to the direction from which the legacy frequency uplink reference signal is received.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the narrow maximum gain beams are selected by evaluating the distances between the User Equipment, the macro cell station and the Millimeter Wave Access Point. As the position of the Millimeter Wave Access Point is known by the macro cell station, as a consequence, also the distance between the macro cell station and the Millimeter Wave Access Point is known. Further, the uplink reference signal strength of the User Equipment at the legacy frequency at the macro cell station indicates the distance between the User Equipment and the macro cell station. Similarly, the uplink reference signal strength of the User Equipment at the legacy frequency at the Millimeter Wave Access Point indicates the distance between the User Equipment and the Millimeter Wave Access Point. By using these three distances, the position of the User Equipment can be triangled and limited to two concrete positions, given that the estimates of the distances between User Equipment, Millimeter Wave Access Point and macro cell station are sufficiently accurate. The narrow maximum gain beams are selected considering the above triangulation of the User Equipment.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the step of determining beamforming weights to serve the User Equipment on a millimeter wave channel if the User Equipment is in the extended coverage area of the Millimeter Wave Access Point is only performed for certain User Equipments based at least on the User Equipment service class or User Equipment bearer information.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the step of determining beamforming weights to serve the User Equipment on a millimeter wave channel if the User Equipment is in the extended coverage area of the Millimeter Wave Access Point is only performed for certain User Equipments based at least on their speed.

[0016] According to one embodiment, a method for establishing a millimeter wave connection by a base station is proposed. The base station is connected to a Millimeter Wave Access Point. The base station receives a signal from the Millimeter Wave Access Point that a User Equipment is in proximity of the Millimeter Wave Access Point. The base station initiates the new link establishment of the User Equipment from the base station to the Millimeter Wave Access Point.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the base station requests a millimeter wave training signal from the User Equipment. Further, the base station receives a measurement report from the Millimeter Wave Access Point.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the received measurement reports are generated in the Millimeter Wave Access Point based on millimeter wave training symbols received by the Millimeter Wave Access Point from the User Equipment.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the step of requesting the millimeter wave training signal in the uplink comprises a step of requesting the Millimeter Wave Access Point to send training signals with specific beamforming. Further, the step contains requesting the User Equipment to perform inter-frequency measurements for millimeter wave access. And further, the step contains receiving measurement reports from the User Equipment.

[0020] According to one embodiment, a Millimeter Wave Access Point in a wireless communication network is proposed. The Millimeter Wave Access Point is connected to a base station. The Millimeter Wave Access Point performs a method as described above.

[0021] According to one embodiment, a base station in a wireless communication network is proposed. The wireless communication network comprises at least one Millimeter Wave Access Point which is connected to the base station. The base station performs a method as described above.

[0022] Further advantageous features of the embodiments of the invention are defined and are described in the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Some embodiments of apparatus and methods in accordance with embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of examples only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1

discloses a wireless overlay network

Fig. 2

discloses a radiation pattern of a Millimeter Wave Access Point according to the invention

Fig. 3

discloses a Millimeter Wave Access Point which is included in a macro cell and a corresponding radiation pattern according to the invention

Fig. 4

discloses a flow chart of a method according to the invention

Fig. 5

discloses a first embodiment of a User Equipment detection and new link establishment procedure according to the invention

Fig. 6

discloses a second embodiment of a User Equipment detection and new link establishment procedure according to the invention

Fig. 7

discloses a third embodiment of a User Equipment detection and new link establishment procedure according to the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] The description and drawings merely illustrate the principles of the invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventors to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.

[0025] Fig. 1 discloses a cellular overlay network 1. A legacy network including macro cells 2, micro cells and pico cells 3, is disclosed. A macro cell 2 is served by a base station 4. In the serving area of the legacy network, Millimeter Wave Access Points 5 are available, thus the millimeter wave service is overlaid over the legacy network. User Equipments (not separately depicted) are in the serving area of the legacy network. Some User Equipments are in the service area of the legacy infrastructure and at the same time in the serving area of the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5. Some User Equipments are static or low speed mobile User Equipments connected to the legacy network and demanding for very high data rates. The legacy network may not be able to provide such data rates in an efficient manner. For serving such requests, Millimeter Wave Access Points 5 are available.

[0026] However, due to the propagation characteristics at millimeter wave frequencies, the coverage area of a Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 is smaller than that of macro cells 2 or pico cells 3. Therefore, according to the invention, a coverage extension of the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 with a given power budget is proposed as described below. Using the method for coverage extension, detection of Millimeter Wave Access Points 5 by slow moving User Equipments and vice versa and new link establishment of the User Equipment to the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 is addressed. The legacy network consisting of macro cells 2 and pico cells 3 operates at a legacy frequency fc and the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 operates at a millimeter wave frequency fm, wherein fc<<fm. A backhaul network is available between the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 and the legacy network, such that signaling is possible. The legacy network provides necessary information to the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5, e.g. information about active User Equipments in the coverage area of the legacy network, uplink scheduling and pilots.

[0027] Fig. 2 discloses a radiation pattern of a Millimeter Wave Access Point 5. If the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 transmits data without beamforming, i.e. transmits omni-directional, a circular radiation pattern exists with the distance R1 around the antenna. If beamforming is employed using broad beams 21, i.e. a medium antenna gain is realized, a distance R2 from the antenna is covered. If small beams 22 are used, i.e. a high antenna gain is realized, a distance R3 around the antenna is covered. In the above mentioned cases for the distances the ratio R1<R2<R3 is valid. Thus, increasing the antenna gain leads to an enhanced distance which is covered. On the other hand, increasing the antenna gain leads to smaller beams. This means that only a certain angle of the surrounding of the antenna is covered. Thus, to address a User Equipment with a certain distance to the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5, accurate beamforming weights need to be determined in order to generate a beam in the correct direction.

[0028] Fig. 3 discloses a macro cell 2 served by a base station 4 including a Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 of a cellular overlay network 1. A User Equipment 6 is disclosed in the macro cell 2 by way of example only. The User Equipment 6 is located at a position where it is served by the macro base station 4. It is not in the coverage area of the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 when omni-directional transmission is used (area R1) or beamforming with broad beams and small beamforming gains is performed (area R2). The User Equipment 6 is in the coverage area R3 of the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 when small beams, i.e. high beamforming gains are used. This area is the extended Millimeter Wave Access Point area which can be served according to the below described inventive method. The dotted line arrow in Fig. 3 indicates the movement of the User Equipment 6, which is a low speed movement. New link establishment to the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 is described further below with regard to Fig. 5-7.

[0029] In a scenario according to Fig. 3, the User Equipment 6 is connected to the macro cell 2 and served at a legacy frequency. If the User Equipment 6 requests a high data rate transmission, e.g. for downloading a movie, the procedure for detecting and serving a User Equipment 6 in the extended coverage range of the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 is started. The Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 is equipped with a legacy frequency receiver and monitors (step 40) the legacy frequency uplink reference signal as depicted in Fig. 4. The legacy frequency uplink reference signal is a signal transmitted by the User Equipment 6 to the base station 4. The legacy frequency uplink reference signal strength is mapped (step 41) to a related signal strength in the millimeter wave access frequency. Using the mapped signal strength, it is determined in step 42 if the User Equipment 6 is in the extended coverage area of the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5. So to say, in steps 41 and 42, the legacy frequency uplink reference signal which is monitored is used to analyze if the User Equipment 6 is in the extended Millimeter Wave Access Point area (area R3). If it is the case that the User Equipment 6 is in the extended Millimeter Wave Access Point area, a decision is made in step 43 that the User Equipment 6 can be served by the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5. In step 44, narrow maximum gain beams of the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 are scanned in order to determine the beam which can serve the User Equipment 6. In one example, all available narrow beams are checked in order to determine which one is needed to serve the User Equipment 6. In one embodiment, not all narrow beams are checked because preassumptions about the location of the User Equipment 6 are employed. If the User Equipment 6 is found with a corresponding narrow beam, beamforming weights are determined in step 45. A millimeter wave connection is established to the User Equipment 6 using these beamforming weights in step 46.

[0030] According to one embodiment, steps 41-43 are implemented as follows. Let x(t,r) represent the uplink reference signal strength measurement of the User Equipment 6 by the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 at time t. The distance r between the User Equipment 5 and the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 at the frequency of the legacy network is available from the monitored uplink reference signal. Let ψ be a Boolean parameter mapping the uplink reference signal strength measurement to the range of the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5. ψ is described as ψ=< 0,1>=<Out of Range, In Range>. Generalizing this operator leads to


where µ represents the predetermined uplink reference signal strength measurement threshold which helps in mapping x(t,r) to millimeter wave access. In the above, µ represents the extended range of the Millimeter Wave Access Point (area R3) when narrow beams are used. In order to determine µ, a starting value based on the Friis equation is used. Then, a refinement by measurements of received signal strengths of User Equipments close to the border of the Millimeter Wave Access Point extended range is made.

[0031] In one embodiment, by the below algorithm, the presence of the User Equipment 6 is detected by the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5.

Initialize:

[0032]  µ ← find µ with pre-measurements If ( x(t,r) > µ) Then ψ ←1 Else ψ ←0 End-If

[0033] According to one embodiment, the method as described above is used to detect a moving User Equipment 6 which moves into the Millimeter Wave Access Point extended area R3 with low speed, e.g. less than 3 km/h as an example. This movement is illustrated in Fig. 3 by the dashed line. When moving into this area, the User Equipment 6 is connected to the macro cell 2 on a legacy frequency. New link establishment procedure is already started when the User Equipment 6 is in the Millimeter Wave Access Point extended range R3 and it is not necessary to wait until the User Equipment is in the range R2 of the Millimeter Wave Access Point using broad beams.

[0034] According to one embodiment, a direct new link establishment is proposed. Fig. 5 schematically depicts the signaling procedure and steps performed for enabling this new link establishment. As described above, an uplink connection 50 between the User Equipment 6 and the base station 4 is monitored (step 40) by the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5. It is determined if the User Equipment 6 is already in the extended range R3 of the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 as described above in steps 41 to 43. Fig. 5 illustrates the signaling procedure for the direct new link establishment case. If ψ=1, the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 has detected the presence of the User Equipment 6 and requests from the macro base station 4 (step 51) a new link establishment. Then the macro base station 4 analyses (step 52) the request and starts the new link establishment procedure (step 53). The method as described above is advantageous as it is direct and fast.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the new link establishment is based on uplink millimeter wave measurements. In order to provide a robust new link establishment procedure, an additional monitoring step is included, which is described according to Fig. 6. As described above, an uplink connection 50 between the User Equipment 6 and the base station 4 is monitored 40 by the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5. It is determined if the User Equipment 6 is already in the extended range R3 of the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 as described above in steps 41 to 43. If ψ=1, the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 has detected the presence of User Equipment 6 and reports 60 the presence of a User Equipment 6 to the macro base station 4.

[0036] The macro base station 4 requests 61 from the User Equipment to send reference signals at millimeter wave frequencies. At the same time, the macro cell station requests 62 from the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 to measure the millimeter wave uplink. When the User Equipment 6 sends 63 the requested reference signals, the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 measures the high frequency signal strength from the User Equipment 6 in step 64. The Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 then reports 65 the measurement results to the macro base station 4. The macro base station 4 analyzes the measurement results in step 66 and decides if the new link establishment should be performed. If the new link establishment should be performed, the new link establishment procedure is started in step 67.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the new link establishment is based on downlink millimeter wave measurements in order to avoid periodic measurement gaps for inter-frequency measurements as described with reference to Fig. 7. As described above, an uplink connection 50 between the User Equipment 6 and the base station 4 is monitored 40 by the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5. It is determined if the User Equipment 6 is already in the extended range R3 of the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 as described above in steps 41 to 43. If ψ=1, the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 has detected the presence of the User Equipment 6 and reports 60 the presence of the User Equipment 6 to the macro base station 4. The macro base station 4 then triggers 70 the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 to send millimeter wave training signals and instructs 71 the User Equipment 6 to perform inter-frequency measurements for millimeter wave access. The Millimeter Wave Access Point 5 sends 72 millimeter wave training signals with specific beamforming to the User Equipment 6. The User Equipment 6 performs the measurements in step 73 and reports (step 74) these measurements to the macro base station 4. The macro base station 4 analyzes the measurement results in step 66 and decides if the new link establishment should be performed. If the new link establishment should be performed, the new link establishment procedure is started in step 67. The measurement reports, which have been generated in the User Equipment 6 and have been received by the macro base station 4, are relayed (step 75) by the macro base station 4 to the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5. This information can be used by the Millimeter Wave Access Point 5, e.g. for the new link establishment procedure.

[0038] The functions of the various elements shown in the Figures, including any functional blocks, may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing software in association with appropriate software. When provided by a processor, the functions may be provided by a single dedicated processor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individual processors, some of which may be shared. Moreover, the functions may be provided, without limitation, by digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, network processor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), read only memory (ROM) for storing software, random access memory (RAM), and non volatile storage. Other hardware, conventional and/or custom, may also be included.

Claims

1. Method for establishing a millimeter wave connection at a Millimeter Wave Access Point for a User Equipment:

- monitoring a legacy frequency uplink signal;

- mapping the legacy frequency uplink signal strength to a related signal strength in the millimeter wave access frequency; and

- establishing a millimeter wave connection based on the mapping.

2. Method for establishing a millimeter wave connection at a Millimeter Wave Access Point for a User Equipment according to claim 1, further comprising the steps:

- checking the mapped signal strength and determining if the User Equipment is in the extended coverage area of the Millimeter Wave Access Point; and

- if the User Equipment is in the extended coverage area of the Millimeter Wave Access Point, determining beamforming weights to serve the User Equipment on a millimeter wave channel.

3. Method for establishing a millimeter wave connection at a Millimeter Wave Access Point for a User Equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of determining beamforming weights to serve the User Equipment on a millimeter wave channel comprises scanning at least some of the available narrow maximum gain beams of the Millimeter Wave Access Point.

4. Method for establishing a millimeter wave connection at a Millimeter Wave Access Point for a User Equipment according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the step of determining beamforming weights to serve the User Equipment on a millimeter wave channel if the User Equipment is in the extended coverage area of the Millimeter Wave Access Point is only performed for certain User Equipments based at least on the User Equipment service class or User Equipment bearer information.

5. Method for establishing a millimeter wave connection at a Millimeter Wave Access Point for a User Equipment according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the step of determining beamforming weights to serve the User Equipment on a millimeter wave channel if the User Equipment is in the extended coverage area of the Millimeter Wave Access Point is only performed for certain User Equipments based at least on their speed.

6. Method for establishing a millimeter wave connection by a base station, the base station being connected to a Millimeter Wave Access Point, comprising the steps:

- receiving a signal from the Millimeter Wave Access Point that a User Equipment is in proximity of the Millimeter Wave Access Point,

- initiate a new link establishment of the User Equipment to the Millimeter Wave Access Point.

7. Method for establishing a millimeter wave connection by a base station according to claim 6, comprising the steps:

- requesting a millimeter wave training signal from the User Equipment,

- receiving measurement reports from the Millimeter Wave Access Point.

8. Method for establishing a millimeter wave connection by a base station according to claim 7, wherein the received measurement reports are generated in the Millimeter Wave Access Point based on millimeter wave training symbols received by the Millimeter Wave Access Point from the User Equipment.

9. Method for establishing a millimeter wave connection by a base station according to claim 6, comprising the steps:

- requesting the Millimeter Wave Access Point to send training signals with specific beamforming,

- requesting the User Equipment to perform inter-frequency measurements for millimeter wave access, and

- receiving measurement reports from the User Equipment.

10. Method for establishing a millimeter wave connection by a base station according to claim 9, wherein the received measurement reports are generated in the User Equipment based on millimeter wave training symbols received by the User Equipment from the Millimeter Wave Access Point.

11. Method for establishing a millimeter wave connection by a base station according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising the step:

- relaying the received measurement reports to the Millimeter Wave Access Point.

12. Millimeter Wave Access Point in a wireless communication network, wherein the Millimeter Wave Access Point is connected to a base station and wherein the Millimeter Wave Access Point performs a method according to one of claims 1 to 5.

13. Base Station in a wireless communication network, the wireless communication network comprising at least one Millimeter Wave Access Point being connected to the base station, wherein the base station performs a method according to one of claims 6 to 10.

Drawing